Fizzy drinks warning for arthritis sufferers

And men with a liking for cans of pop are more likely to show a deterioration in their condition than women.

The more drinks people with osteoarthritis in their knees consume, the faster their condition worsens with slim men most affected, researchers found.

US study leader Dr Bing Lu said: “We know that soft drinks can increase the risk of diabetes and obesity, and now we see there is a link to worsening arthritis.

“The message is we really should not be drinking too many of these fizzy drinks.”

Dr Lu’s team from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston looked at 2,149 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

Participants’ sugary soft-drink consumption was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Their condition was monitored at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months by measuring changes in the joint space of their knees.

The message is we really should not be drinking too many of these fizzy drinks

US study leader Dr Bing Lu

Men and women were studied separately and men showed the worst deterioration. Among female participants, very slim women showed most joint damage, according to the research, presented at the American College of Rheumatology.

Dr Bing said: “The results could be due to a general increase in BMI (body mass). But it could be due to ingredients and sweeteners in the drinks.”

Osteoarthritis affects at least 8.5 million people in Britain.

A spokesman for UK charity Arthritis Care, said: “Osteoarthritis affects so many people and causes such high levels of pain and misery that we welcome any new research.”